New Year’s Drunk Driving Accident Statistics and Trends

As New Year’s festivities approach, it’s important to remind ourselves about the seriousness of drunk driving. It is a reminder that bears repeating, and can save your life and the lives of others.

If you are drinking, secure alternative transportation before you head out on New Year’s Eve. If you are not drinking, remain vigilant about the actions of others if you go out driving.

Statistics and Facts About Drunken Driving Crashes:

• January 1st is actually the worst time for drunk driving and accidents caused by drunk drivers.
• Those still suffering from hangovers may get behind the wheel of a car not thinking that they may still be considered intoxicated if pulled over.
• January 1st has even topped July 4th in drunk driving arrests.
• Our advice is to stay inside and sleep in on New Year’s Day to avoid any drunk driving confrontations on the road.
• A standard drink is all an average person can metabolize per hour. A 12 oz. beer, a 5 oz.
• glass of wine, and a 1.5 oz. shot are all considered one standard drink.
• Twenty-eight people in the US die every day due to drunk driving accidents.
• The US spends $199 billion annually on drunk driving associated costs.
• There is no fast way to sober up.
• Chances are high that you will be involved in a drunk driving accident during your life – 2 out of 3 people are.
• Drunk drivers who are arrested have likely driven drunk as many as 80 times before the first time they face arrest.

 New Year’s Safety tips:

• Don’t let anyone get behind the wheel of a car if you know he or she has been drinking.
• While remaining calm, suggest alternatives. Secure the person’s keys, and if you can’t stop someone, call law enforcement.
• Never get in the car with a driver who has been drinking.
• If you see suspicious driving activity, call law enforcement.
• Make sure friends who come over and plan to drink have a safe ride home.
• Keep the number of a taxi service or other transportation app handy.

Don’t become a statistic this New Year’s. While the number of drunk driving accidents has been cut in half since the 1980s, over 10,000 people die every year from drunk driving–related accidents. Driving drunk is not worth the embarrassment, shame, and price you will pay for being caught – ask anyone who has faced legal action due to a drunk driving incident. If you were injured after a drunk diver accident, contact Liljegren Law Group, we have car accident lawyers in Temecula, Escondido, and San Diego ready to help.

And for all the terrible things that can happen when a person drives drunk, remember that study after study has shown that texting while driving can be as much as 6 times as dangerous as driving drunk. So while you are watching your keys this holiday, be sure you are just as vigilant about your friends texting while driving.

Driving Safe Around Drunk Drivers

Unfortunately, no matter how vigilant you are not to drink and drive this New Year’s Eve, you cannot control the actions of others. You may still encounter someone on the road that appears under the influence, or at least drowsy or distracted. A driver might be drunk if you notice him or her swerving, weaving, drifting between lanes, unable to stay between the lines, speeding, starting or stopping suddenly, pausing too long at stops, or dozing off behind the wheel. Once you spot a potentially drunk driver, act to protect yourself and others.

• Slow down to increase the distance between you and the drunk driver. Get safely away from the intoxicated driver. A generous following distance can give you more time to react if the driver creates a dangerous situation.
• Be extra careful at intersections. If you are about to drive through an intersection near a drunk driver, come to a complete stop and let him or her proceed first. Do not trust the driver to stop or yield you the right-of-way.
• Call the police. Once you are a safe distance away from the drunk driver, call 911 to report a non-emergency situation. Explain why you believe the driver is drunk and give the police a description of the vehicle with the plate numbers.
• Pull over. If you cannot get safely away from the drunk driver or call the police while driving, pull over in a safe location on the side of the road. Pulling over might be the best way to prevent the drunk driver from colliding into you.
• Do not engage with the drunk driver. Do not try to pull up next to a drunk driver, flag him or her down, or stop the drunk driver’s vehicle. Drunk drivers can be violent and unpredictable. Instead, keep your distance and wait for the police to arrest the driver.

Your safest bet is to avoid driving on the holidays. New Year’s Eve is a major holiday for drunk driving accidents. If you can, host a party at home. Otherwise, use public transportation instead of driving to your destination to decrease the odds of a drunk driving accident. Avoid driving late at night and never drive if you have been drinking.

What to Do If You Are Hit by a Drunk Driver

If a drunk driver strikes you while you are walking or driving in California, remain calm and call the police. Dial 911 from the scene of the DUI accident and state that you believe the at-fault driver is under the influence. Try to extract information from the drunk driver while you wait for the police, such as his or her full name, contact information and the name of the driver’s insurance company. If the driver is angry, aggressive or belligerent, wait for the police to arrive without interacting with the driver.

Request an ambulance if you suffered serious injuries in the DUI accident. Get immediate medical care for any type of injury. Get a trusted friend to take photos at the scene of the crash if you need to go to the hospital. Otherwise, take photographs and videos yourself. This can serve as evidence for your insurance claim later. Keep copies of your medical bills and get your police report number before the police leave the scene. Then, call an attorney for assistance.

Contact Liljegren Law Group

A DUI accident case can be complex and difficult to navigate. A lawyer can help you gather important evidence against a drunk driver, including police camera footage and chemical test results. Then, a lawyer can assist you in bringing a claim with the drunk driver’s insurance company. If you cannot avoid a drunk driving accident this New Year’s, avoid settling for less by requesting help from an attorney.

If you’ve been injured in a drunk driving accident or lost a loved one, call our San Diego car accident attorneys immediately to explore your options and fight for just compensation. The San Diego personal injury attorneys at Liljegren Law Group have experience handling all types of car accident cases, including drunk driving crashes around the holidays.